Lowndes edges Van Gisbergen to provisional Adelaide pole

Craig Lowndes will be the last man out in this afternoon’s Top 10 Shootout after topping an extraordinarily close qualifying session on the streets of Adelaide.

Lowndes’ best early time of 1:20.8731s was matched to all four decimal places by Shane van Gisbergen as the chequered flag fell – with the Red Bull Holden driver keeping the top spot on the account of having set the time first.

Lowndes had elected not to return to the track for the final six minutes following a lengthy red flag delay caused by Maro Engel’s Mercedes expiring at Turn 4.

Despite the Mercedes having dropped coolant throughout the opening four corners, several drivers managed to improve in the closing stages, with Jamie Whincup, Will Davison and Fabian Coulthard securing third through fifth respectively on their last laps.